It’s a battle of SEC opponents on the college hardwood in the Razorback State. The LSU Tigers are on the road as they make the trip to face the Arkansas Razorbacks Saturday night. LSU comes in off an 88-79 home win over Alabama Tuesday night. Arkansas was defeated 57-51 at home by Florida in their previous game Wednesday night. The Razorbacks lead the all-time regular season series 35-30 but the Tigers took the last two meetings, including a 94-86 home win in the last matchup on February 3, 2018.

LSU Tigers Seek Fifth Straight Victory

LSU won their fourth game in a row as they took down Alabama at home in their last contest. The Tigers look to extend their win streak to five in a row as they are on the road for this contest. LSU rolled to a 15 point halftime lead and withstood Alabama’s charge in the second half. The Tigers had their lead trimmed to four with 1:46 to play before outscoring the Wildcats 9-4 down the stretch to earn the win. LSU shot 49.1 percent from the field, including hitting a sizzling 10 of 15 three point attempts, to help offset 16 turnovers. Tremont Waters led the Tigers with 19 points and seven assists in the victory.

As I said last night: From chaos, beauty emerges.

Or, as Andy Kennedy eloquently stated: "Can you say backside on national television?"

The Tigers are putting up 81.2 points per game on the young season. LSU collects 36.6 rebounds per game and dishes out an average of 14.6 assists per contest. The Tigers hope to improve defensively as they come in tied for 166th in scoring defense by allowing 70.6 points per night. Naz Reid is third on the team with 12.2 points plus 5.4 rebounds per contest. Tremont Waters (12.9 points, 5.6 assists), Ja’Vonte Smart (10.6 points) and Skylar Mays (team high 13.1 points) are all averaging in double figures. Emmitt Williams (8.8 points, 6.2 rebounds), Kavell Bigby-Williams, Darius Days, Marlon Taylor and Daryl Edwards are all part of the rotation for the Tigers. LSU shoots 49 percent from the field as a team on the year. The Tigers connect on 7.4 triples a night while shooting just 34.8 percent from beyond the arc. LSU has been solid at the charity stripe, knocking down 74.2 percent of their chances this season.

Arkansas Razorbacks Trying to Get Back on Track

Arkansas had their three game win streak snapped as they came up short at home against Florida in their last contest. The Razorbacks are 1-1 in conference play and looks to get back in the win column. Arkansas trailed by 11 at the half and by 15 with 7:24 to play in the contest before rallying. The Razorbacks cut the deficit to two with 1:02 to play in the game but couldn’t put any other points on the board. Arkansas shot a dismal 30 percent from the field, including missing 20 of 26 three point attempts, and clanked 11 of 26 free throw attempts. Mason Jones led the Razorbacks with 30 points in the loss.

The Razorbacks put up an average of 79 points per contest on the year. Arkansas grabs 39 rebounds per contest and dishes out 17.4 assists a night. The Razorbacks are average on the defensive end of the floor as they are tied for 127th in the nation by allowing 69.4 points per contest. Daniel Gafford leads the team as he puts up 16.4 points plus 9.6 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per contest. Mason Jones chips in 14.3 points plus 4.9 rebounds a night, Isaiah Joe kicks in 14.8 points and Jalen Harris is good for 8.9 points plus 6.6 assists per contest. Adrio Bailey, Reggie Chaney, Keyshawn Embery-Simpson, Desi Sills and Gabe Osabuohein all play double digit minutes for the team this season. Arkansas is shooting 44.3 percent from the field as a team this season. The Razorbacks are sinking eight triples a night while shooting 34 percent from beyond the arc. Arkansas has been mediocre at the line, hitting 64.3 percent of their attempts at the stripe.

Notable Trends

Razorbacks are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games overall

Razorbacks are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 home games

Razorbacks are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 home games vs. a team with a losing road record

Tigers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 Saturday games

The Bottom Line What to bet on this game.

Full-Game Side Bet

Rating:

LSU has four straight wins and took care of an Alabama team that knocked off Kentucky in their previous contest. The Tigers have to earn some wins on the road as they are 0-1 as a true visiting team this season. Arkansas was flat against Florida and they haven’t had much luck ATS at home of late. The Razorbacks have to put together a more cohesive showing than they’ve done lately. Take the point and the visiting Tigers in this contest as they get the victory.

Prediction: Arkansas Razorbacks -1

Full-Game Total Pick

Rating:

Both teams have the ability to put points on the board this season. LSU puts up better than 81 points per game on the year while Arkansas is putting up 79 points per contest. The Tigers are going to try and blitz teams into submission and it’s going to be a high octane contest here. Arkansas’s pressing defense is going to test Waters and the Tigers in this one. Can the Razorbacks find a way to bounce back after a disappointing showing and earn a conference victory?

The under is 7-0 in the Razorbacks’ last 7 overall, 4-0 in their last 4 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400, 4-0 in their last 4 Saturday games, 5-0 in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a losing road record and 6-0 in their last six at home. The teams have stayed under the total in nine of their last 13 meetings. This one ends up under the number as well as the Tigers have a tough time battling with the press.

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Chris Kubala

Christopher Kubala has been crunching stats and following sports for over 30 years. His in depth analysis and passion for sports have led him to writing books about sports, regularly being featured on sports talk radio and as the go-to person for any obscure trivia. He keeps an eye on transactions and statistics like a hawk, especially when it comes to football, both the NFL and college, the NHL, the NBA and college basketball and MLB.